Elektra Music Group has joined forces with The New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation’s nonprofit to participate in the Makin’ Groceries program to distribute hurricane preparedness kits to more than 100 elderly and medically vulnerable New Orleans performers.
Elektra Gives Back, an employee-led philanthropic initiative within Elektra Music Group, brings national attention to the Makin’ Groceries hurricane preparedness initiative. Along with other community partners, Elektra Music Group is asking community members to sponsor kits or supply items, including first aid essentials, garbage bags, flashlights, sunscreen, batteries, and more, so that the culture bearers of New Orleans served by the program can safely weather the 2021 storm season.
“New Orleans is such an important city—arguably the most important—in music history and culture,” said Suzi Akyuz, vice president of marketing at Elektra Music Group. “Through Elektra Gives Back, the Elektra Music Group is proud to join the New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation in the vital work they do in protecting the city’s elder and medically vulnerable culture bearers. With hurricane season already upon us, Makin’ Groceries and hurricane preparedness initiatives are in desperate need of support. We’re glad to offer any and all help that we can.”
Arejay Hale of Grammy Award-winning band Halestorm adds, “New Orleans has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve had so many amazing experiences performing there with my band, and spending time in that great city. The musical history and culture is so rich, with no shortage of talent. I’m so proud to be a member of the Warner Music Group family, who are working to bring awareness to the great efforts of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic’s Makin Groceries program and their hurricane preparedness kits through Elektra Gives Back. So many local musicians and unsung heroes need our help, especially with hurricane season upon us.”
Launched in June 2020, Makin’ Groceries provides weekly, home-delivered care packages of nutritious food items, prepared meals, health education, and other services to a group of more than 100 culture bearers and their families. Led and produced by a network of local musicians, community health workers, volunteers, and businesses, the program is designed in collaboration with those served to show gratitude and admiration for their profound influence on New Orleans culture.
“What began as a pandemic response program to ensure the health and safety of culture bearers has evolved into a multi-year program with a ton of meaningful partners,” says Erica Dudas, managing director of the New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation.
Arsène Delay, local musician and Makin’ Groceries program manager, adds, “We have a unique opportunity to make a difference when it comes to addressing health inequities and food insecurity at the ground level. All while strengthening our communal bonds, celebrating a love of music, and showing gratitude to our culture bearers. This is what collective care looks like in action and we need people to give back.”< Makin’ Groceries and partners will continue to ensure New Orleans culture bearers have access to healthy food and feel safe, mentally healthy, and cared for during hurricane season with a little help from friends near and far, who they invite to contribute by purchasing from their Amazon Wishlist or giving directly at nomaf.org/makingroceries.
